Finland's oldest city charms with medieval churches, lively markets, and cultural museums. Explore its compact center on foot, surrounded by rivers and forests.
Turku, Finland's oldest city, sits at the mouth of the Aura River on the southwest coast. As a former capital, it played a key role in Finnish history and culture. The city is home to the 13th-century Turku Cathedral, the medieval Turku Castle, and the Old Great Square. Visitors can enjoy local cuisine at the historic Market Hall or take a ferry to explore the nearby archipelago with its thousands of islands.
Turku's Historic Core
The heart of Turku centers around the Aura River, which divides the city. On the east bank stands Turku Cathedral, consecrated in 1300 and still an active Lutheran church. Its brick exterior and spire are visible from many parts of the city. The interior contains ornate frescoes, medieval tombs, and a museum detailing the cathedral's history. A short walk away, the Old Great Square (Vanha Suurtori) was once the main medieval marketplace. It now hosts festivals and events throughout the year, including a Christmas market in December.
Turku Castle
At the mouth of the Aura River stands Turku Castle, one of Finland's most important historical sites. Construction began in the 1280s, and for centuries it served as a defensive fortress, royal palace, and administrative center. Now a museum, visitors can explore its stone halls, climb staircases, and view exhibits on medieval life. The castle's rooms contain suits of armor, porcelain collections, and archaeological finds. A visit typically takes several hours to see the main exhibits.
Turku's Food Scene
Turku has several notable dining options. The Market Hall, dating to 1896, houses food stalls and small restaurants where visitors can sample local flavors. Traditional dishes include lohikeitto (creamy salmon soup) and korvapuusti (cinnamon rolls). For fine dining, Kaskis is the first restaurant outside Helsinki to earn a Michelin star. They serve Nordic tasting menus highlighting seasonal, local ingredients. Along the Aura River, there's a variety of cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating available in summer.
The Turku Archipelago
Just offshore from Turku lies an archipelago with over 20,000 islands stretching towards Sweden. In summer, ferries and guided boat tours operate to some of the larger inhabited islands. Ruissalo, the closest to the city, has hiking trails through oak forests and beaches for swimming. Further out, the town of Nagu (Nauvo in Finnish) has wooden houses, a small harbor, and seafood restaurants. Cyclists can ride between islands connected by bridges and ferries.
Transportation in Turku
Turku's center is walkable, and the city also has a bus network called Föli. Tickets are available through their mobile app or at kiosks around town. In summer, bike rentals are available for cycling along the riverside paths or out to nearby islands. The small orange Föri ferry has crossed the Aura River since 1904 - it's free to ride and provides views of the city. For longer trips, trains connect Turku to Helsinki in about 2 hours.
